WEALTH OF THE SOIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13767, 4 June 1908, Page 5

WEALTH OF THE SOIL.

ENTHUSIASTIC MINISTER.

ENCOURAGING MANUFACTURES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. "A3 Minister in charge of the Department of Agriculture the New Zealand Industries Week movement particularly appeals to myself," said the Hon. R. McNab to a press representative to-day. "It appeals to me on account of the fact , that in connection with the great bulk of the foodstuffs of the Dominion the New Zealand producer has not only a complete control of the local market, but having supplied the local market to the exclusion of all other competitors, he has extended his competition to the heart of the Empire, and is recognised as a strong competitor of the producers in the British Isles, and the rival of producers in jthe United States, Canada, South America, South Africa, and the various European and Asiatic countries that send foodstuffs to London. As proving the extent of the development of the growth of foodstuffs in New Zealand, I. might mention that the year ending 3lst March, 1908, showed an increase in the quantity of butter exported after supplying New Zealand requirements, over the year 1893 (ten years before), of 144 i per cent. ""Last year 80 "per cent, of our exports were associated with the cultivation of the soil. The remaining 20 per cent, had to cover all our exported manufactures, and all miscellaneous exports not associated with the cultivation of the soil. I feel confident that if our manufacturers were once able to establish themselves in their own local markets it would be but a step 'n their development to secure a footing in the markets of the Old World, thus increasing the value of our exports, and aiding in the production of our wealth. I would like to see the New Zealander feel the same pride in the manufactures of New Zealand as he does in the foodstuff of this country, manifest the same enthusiasm for its further development as is being done by the farmer, and give to his. manufactures the same monopoly of his market that he has extended to the farmer."